The G-Unit label has a knack for pushing back its release dates. Lloyd Banks sophomore effort,...

Rotten Apple Album Review

The G-Unit label has a knack for pushing back its release dates. Lloyd Banks sophomore effort, Rotten Apple, was originally pegged for an early summer drop, but was forced to collect dust from May through September. The original lead single came via Timbaland and had Banks doing a 2006 version of Our House. The cut never got off the ground at radio though and the label was forced to return to the drawing board.

Plan B began shortly after the start of August when the Eminem produced, Hands Up (featuring 50 Cent), was confirmed as the new single. A solid choice by A&R, as it is the clear cut best of the 16 cut bunch. Solid production from top to bottom help the album move along as 9th Wonder, Havoc, Needlz and Ron Browz all make their mark; additionally, the many features (Scarface, 8Ball, Musiq Soulchild) don't detour from the overall flow of the album.

The key differences between Rotten Apple, and its predecessor Hunger For More, are the overall energy level and the delays. On Banks first go around, DJs blasted party favorites like On Fire, I'm So Fly, Playboy and the sultry remix to Karma featuring Avant. Other than the current single, Rotten Apple doesn't offer the same amount of high energy bangers. Subsequently, the label is now left to wonder what would have been if their decision on a lead single was different from the jump off.